Happy Holidays from People Speak - time is a wonderful gift

This is the note we shared with our customers this year.

Like many, my 2020 has been an exhausting year. Life during the coronavirus pandemic has been emotionally draining week after week on so many levels. Devastating to many. It has also brought something profound back into our lives: time. There are fewer places to go, fewer people to visit, fewer things to fill up our family’s time. I am grateful for this gift. 

In August, 2017, we launched the first People Speak site for the City of Lakewood Planning Commission and introduced the world to remote and asynchronous public hearings. That meeting saw two variance issues heard. Since then, cities from coast to coast have begun using the People Speak platform. While still small in number, adoption so far represents a sea change in local government and public meetings. Remote and asynchronous means bringing meetings to the people, and letting them engage in the issues that matter to them whenever and wherever they want, without waiting hours for their item on the agenda, without making the trip down to city hall – the gift of time. 

You who have entrusted your local governance to People Speak are at the helm of this evolution of public hearings – a cornerstone of local municipal government – that hasn’t been touched for a century. You are the driving force for this change, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with you to help usher in this new era. 

In 2021, we are focused on bringing more efficiency and accessibility to online public meetings. This means more time for staff, decision-makers, and citizens. As always, we invite and welcome your feedback into how to make People Speak work better for you and your community. We are honored to be able to serve you and be part of this evolution. 

Time is a wonderful gift.   

Wishing you happy holidays,

People Speak